Imaginary Worlds

Eric Molinsky - Arts

Average rating:

5

out of 1117 ratings.

Thee space of Imaginary Worlds is a library!

by chrbutler on

Rating: ★★★★★

I've listened to Imaginary Worlds since it began, and what made it immediately appealing to me is the space I felt I was in when I listened to it. Despite being about fantasy worlds, I never felt I was in them, really. (A good thing, I think.) Instead, I felt like I was in a place from which I could safely observe these worlds. And just recently, it clicked for me: the space of Imaginary Worlds is a library. It's a quiet, interior space - itself a symbol for other worlds, mental, physical, and fantastic - but still a place with definite qualities of its own. Warmth. Quiet. Safety. But especially potential. Being in a library is to be wrapped in a neutral plane between paradox: mystery and discovery; the unknown and illumination; stillness and expansion; Etc. This is a wonderful show.

Conan!

by Dominus Niere on

Rating: ★★★★★

Iâve loved this show for quite some time. It inspires me to fantasy and sci-fi Iâd yet to discover for myself, infused with professional commentary to breakdown said nerddom. I really liked this recent one on Conan though. Iâve loved Robert E Howard got quite a while. Iâd love to hear more about the sword and sorcery genre in the future. Solomon Kane, or Michael Moorecocks âElricâ Thanks for the wonderful show

Pleasingly thoughtful.

by Hypersonicbunny on

Rating: ★★★★★

Iâm so glad I listened. Thanks for the great work.

Fantastic

by Robbie 5000 on

Rating: ★★★★★

A truly great, honest, kind and geeky podcast

This is

by brandonongsy on

Rating: ★★★★★

my favorite podcast.

Love this so much!

by JessieSey on

Rating: ★★★★★

A friend recommended this to me and I find it so entertaining! As someone not well-versed in geek culture, I appreciate that he is inclusive and explains any acronyms (ex LARP), and there is so much variety in topics. Each podcast is 20 min or less and just puts a smile on my face every time.

Great Show

by Mr. Milord on

Rating: ★★★★★

Love this!

by Mbigg on

Rating: ★★★★★

Fascinating.

by PlaceboDealer1428 on

Rating: ★★★★★

Each episode looks at science fiction and fantasy through a unique lens. This has been one of my go-to podcasts for years. I look forward to each new episode.

Best Nerdy Pod Around

by maxined93 on

Rating: ★★★★★

I am utterly obsessed with this podcastâlike This American Life for geeks, but with philosophy, cultural theory, linguistics, and audio drama sometimes thrown in. The very diversity of topics and guest interviewees makes it endlessly compelling; but the presenter also does deep enough dives to have something for the most hardcore nerd.

Love the content

by Savage-Abs on

Rating: ★★★★★

As a sci-fi and fantasy fan, this podcast feeds that hunger. The content is presented in an interesting and compelling way.

Movies for the mind episode

by The kings sword on

Rating: ★★★★★

The episode kept jumping around while I was listening to it. I believe there might be a problem with the upload. Love your show! Keep up the great work

Inner-nerd

by Brtnsno on

Rating: ★★★★★

I grew up interested in many different things. From sports and hunting to Star Wars and video games. There are tons of podcasts on the more âmachoâ hippies of mine, but I love he way this podcast allows me to feed my inner-nerd with information that I never knew or never considered. Keep up the great work!

This is my favorite podcast

by Aquoisepenguin on

Rating: ★★★★★

Not only do you learn the in depth stories about your favorite nerdy topics, you find new parts of fandom to love and learn about! The storytelling and technical aspects are professional radio quality and everyone in the stories clearly has passion for the subject matter! (As we geeks do)

Zyxx brought me here

by billymaroux on

Rating: ★★★★★

and I'm glad it did.

My favorite podcast

by ReaderRedhead on

Rating: ★★★★★

I listen to a lot of podcasts but Imaginary Worlds is my favorite. I love that it addresses nerdy topics but that itâs less about obsessing over things we love and more about really analyzing and understanding them and how they connect to every facet of our lives. The fanfiction episode is one of my favorites because it initially seems like such a frivolous activity (even Eric judges), but fanfic becomes a lens to discuss gender, sexuality, power imbalances, the publishing industry, and so much more. If you are a fan of fantasy, sci fi, comics, super heroes, role playing games, or just good storytelling, you will love this podcast!

Wow

by Mememememme000 on

Rating: ★★★★★

I love your use of The Album Leaf throughout! Great stuff Eric. Well researched and delightfully thoughtful. 5/5 would listen again and again.

Worthy of your time

by HectorEscaton on

Rating: ★★★★★

I love this show. Whenever a new episode appears in my feed, I often put it off as a âtreatâ after I catch up on my more news-ey and âseriousâ podcasts, but thatâs always a mistake. Of all the podcasts I listen to, Imaginary Worlds is the one that always lingers with me the most. Some other podcasts tackle big science ideas or focus on human stories, but the melding of those two that Eric Molinsky manages makes this the one podcast that consistently gives me goosebumps while I listen to it, and lingers as something Iâm thinking about throughout the week. I love it, but the only downside is that the only way I can capture that same feeling after listening to an episode is by going out and reading a really good book or some short stories, or delving into a good show. Hats off to this podcast for capturing that sense of wonder and excitement- imagination even- that normally only comes by being in works and worlds they explore every other week.

A must-listen for sci fi and fantasy fans!

by Webb of Intrigue on

Rating: ★★★★★

I'm a lifelong lover of science fiction and fantasy storytelling. As I've gotten older though, new discoveries within the genres have become more rare. Also hard to find are substantive, thought-provoking discussions, as polarized shouting matches have come to dominate conversations online.This podcast changed all that for me. Not only has it introduced me to new titles and provided insights into old favorites, it has given me fascinating glimpses into the lives of creators, and treated these genres with the respect they deserve, offering historical context and meaningful analysis with help from an impressive array of diverse and knowledgeable guests that include novelists, journalists, filmmakers, historians, artists, academics, designers, etc. I also love the way Molinsky personalizes each episode, infusing it with his sense of curiosity, sensitivity, and deep appreciation of these stories, serving as wonderful guide and companion on this journey of discovery.After binging the back catalog over the last month, I have learned so much and had my interest in sci fi and fantasy literature reinvigorated, inspiring me to check out many of the contemporary works cited in the show as well as classics that I've missed out on. Kudos to Eric and his team for making such a high quality podcast!

I just love this show!

by Jacqui Mae on

Rating: ★★★★★

I just love this show! Introduces you to new fandoms and gives cool perspectives on fandoms you thought you already knew! The doctor who one made me cry! I now care about Magic the Gathering! Alllll the Harry Potter ones! The Catherine Webb interview that led me to âThe first fifteen loves of harry Augustâ. all of it!

Inspiring

by docpete on

Rating: ★★★★★

Iâm not sure that this was his intent, but I find âImaginary Worldsâ to be a wellspring of inspiration for my own creative work. Ericâs approach to worlds is one that allows deep introspection around the context of our collective creations, holding up a mirror for us to see what weâre attempting to teach ourselves in the endeavor. As a podcast, itâs truly great work in the form.

A Great Podcast!

by TheRevTim on

Rating: ★★★★★

I love this. Very, very well done. If you are a fan of podcasts and you have any interest in the literature of the fantastic, this series is absolutely not-to-be-missed. Thank you, Eric -- keep up the good work!

Catherine Webb

by DonDerby on

Rating: ★★★★☆

This episode, in my book, goes in the Top 10 of this great podcast. I learned about an amazing author whose novels I know want to devour. Eric is a great interviewer. Such a delight

"Imaginary Worlds" Opens Doorways

by HartmanJ on

Rating: ★★★★★

This podcast really engages the imagination and is akin to stepping back into these worlds. Listening to them is akin to exploring them first hand through the books, films, and television shows that introduced them. And the subjects have a pretty broad range so that almost anyone can easily find a way in. Oz? It's here, as is Hogwarts and Neverland. But then so is Middle Earth, and the universes of Star Wars, Marvel and DC, and Disney. Molinsky does all of this in a very friendly way, and each episode is accessible for the listener whether they are deeply familiar with the subject at hand, or if they have only a passing acquaintance. So it makes a great connector to new books and films. But for me personally, I love this show because when I've finished listening to it, I have the strange and satisfying sensation of having set off for, explored, and returned from the worlds it investigates.

My sci-fi happy place!

by ThimbleMarie on

Rating: ★★★★★

This show is incredibly well written and produced, it is a joy to listen to. When I want to learn something new and appreciate another aspect or view on a topic I think I am already well versed in, I tune in and am always surprised. Keep up the great work!

A lovely podcast

by TheQueenPi on

Rating: ★★★★★

This was one of the first podcasts I started listening to and I'm always excited when a new episode comes out. Thought provoking with great guests and a solid variety of topics. I seriously recommend it to anyone interested in the nerdy side of Pop Culture.

Expanding My World

by Hekubus on

Rating: ★★★★★

This is my favorite podcast. Iâve always loved peeking into the background of what makes a fiction happen, and this podcast gives me that in an entertaining, informative way. Every episode is fascinating!

One of the best

by FantasyFanMorgan on

Rating: ★★★★★

Imaginary Worlds is one of the few podcast I absolutely have to listen to as soon as it comes out. Eric is the kind of host I wish more podcasters were: informed, interesting, and someone who knows when to shut his mouth and listen. This is without a doubt the best show on fantasy and sci-fi out there.

good times

by CarterFromTheBlackLagoon on

Rating: ★★★★★

fun and informative

Brilliant. Intriguing. Sparks fly.

by cometsong on

Rating: ★★★★★

Every show makes me want another one.

great production value

by CheeseCannon on

Rating: ★★★★★

You can tell Eric takes pride in his work. The miniseries on Dr. Who was surprisingly engaging especially since I'm not a fan. Eric took a neat concept and is able to pull a lot of content out of it. It's still a young show, and I'm ready to see where he'll go from here.

Hooray for Dr. Who Miniseries

by lachelvi on

Rating: ★★★★★

Thank you for your latest miniseries on Dr. Who. I am eating it up. :-) Between Imaginary Worlds and The Allusionist my playlist is both intriguing and delightful.

Excellent

by Sean O'Skea on

Rating: ★★★★★

This show is so well produced. I usually avoid American podcasts because most are so bad. Typically, a couple dudes unscripted, just blathering their opinions. Who cares? But Molinsky meticulously researches, writes, edits and produces this series with BBC or NPR level production values. Itâs like This American Life for geeks. When I finally gave it a chance, I basically binged. Even the episodes about shows, movies, or books I'm unfamiliar with are still fascinating for his social insight on the topics. Can't rate it highly enough.

Canât wait to hear them all!

by TGizzLE on

Rating: ★★★★★

Late to this party but loving it!

Fantastic!

by IoT Listener on

Rating: ★★★★★

What an amazing podcast -- smart and insightful. with a great host and guests. I'm so happy to have found it.

I am so very happy

by Chritcher on

Rating: ★★★★★

I just discovered podcasts and came across yours I started listing from the beginning I am so enthralled in your podcasts. I never thought of such things. I am still out I just listen to The pod of Captain Hook and you actually brought it back to life to me. The ending was like omg. I know itâs a performance but it came alive for me, Wow.

Pop Cultural Intellectualism

by Joseph Maltby on

Rating: ★★★★★

This is a fun way to think about the nerdy stuff we all love and see how it connects to the real world. The host finds angles to think about this stuff that you'd never expect, and educates you about other topics in the process.

A Must Listen for Any Geek

by Josh_ALegalGeek on

Rating: ★★★★★

Eric Molinsky has a great love of science fiction, movies, comics, and all things geek. Always enjoy listening to Imaginary Worlds.

Great Podcast!

by honeybee777 on

Rating: ★★★★★

I really enjoy listening to stories and facts about all my fandoms! Interesting and informative behind the scenes stuff.

Just superb

by BrooksSeveer on

Rating: ★★★★★

I've been a big fan of this show for quite some time but his recent miniseries on Doctor Who is so incisive and just wonderful that it inspired me to write this review. Just a great series about the craft of creating fantastic fiction. I will say that I think my favorite episode is The Legacy of Octavia Butler. But they're all pretty great. A huge thumbs up and a big recommendation from me.

Amazing!

by Gaal Dornick on

Rating: ★★★★★

Fantasy and science fiction meet NPR. Perfect.

The Heart of Human Imagination

by Kay O. Sweaver on

Rating: ★★★★★

It would be really, really easy for a show based on science fiction, fantasy and comic books to be terribly shallow and overly nerdy. This isnât that. Eric Molinsky treats his subject matter with seriousness, finesse and heart. Great stories illuminate truths about our world, and this podcast does just that, delving deep into what our imaginations tell us about our humanity.

Oh wow! Each episode is brilliant!

by Ethan Witkovsky on

Rating: ★★★★★

I just found this podcast and am slowly working my way through and savoring each episode. They are thought provoking, well done and make me think about things i love in new and interesting ways.

Can't get enough.

by rinda ri on

Rating: ★★★★★

Great choice of subject material, diverse and interesting interviewees, thought-provoking questions/discussions. Found myself quickly immersed in every episode!

New Years Resolution: Leave Podcast Reviews

by Khglynn on

Rating: ★★★★★

New Years Resolution: finally leave reviews for at least your top 50 podcasts. They give you way too much free entertainment. The least you can do is leave them a quick review.New Years Reality: I listen to 50+ exceptional podcasts. I donât have time to write that many reviews.New Years Solution: Leave this cookie-cutter review for the few(ish) podcasts you love. Only review the ones you would (or have) recommended to people in real life.Review Note: I have listened to hundreds of podcasts, this is (in my humble opinion) the best of the best. Download, enjoy, and then recommend widely.

Watch out for spoilers

by bazurt on

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Was enjoying the show generally, but recent spoilers for âThe Expanseâ kind of spoiled it so to speak. Sure, âspoiler alertâ was announced in line, but I didnât have time to stop things while driving.

Intelligent discussion of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

by KurtGr on

Rating: ★★★★★

Well reasoned and researched discussions of Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

Something for everyone

by wilkywit on

Rating: ★★★★★

This show has an incredible range of topics, a consistently heartfelt and thoughtful perspective, and tons of fascinating trivia. I love to see where this show goes! And I appreciate how you could play it for almost anyone -- this is a podcast I could get my 60-something parents into.

Addicting

by Mac Jackson on

Rating: ★★★★★

I just found this show and it is so much fun. Its perfectly paced and just long enough. It even makes me care about things I never cared about before:) Keep them coming please:)